Lyon by Washburn Acoustic Guitar a good casual play instrument

Review by gregepin04

March, 10 2008

Pros: cheap casual play ...durable instrument

Cons: finger action a bit stiff ...not good for a beginner

The price might make you think "cheap" and breakable...however, I bought a Lyon by Washburn Acoustic Guitar three years ago and it still plays fine. The string tension holds steady after being tuned and requires minimal tweaking.

The wood finish is actually very nice, maintains a high gloss luster, and is quite resistant to scratches.

The sound? I would rate is as nice....not the quality of a $600+ Yamaha...but then this guitar can be purchased for less than a hundred dollars. So, I would class this as a good casual play guitar for anyone who knows a few chords and simply wants to play some tunes from time to time.

However, I would NOT recommend this one to a new student who is just beginning and needs to practice a lot. The fretboard is acceptable...but a bit rough on the fingers if not used to playing. You have to press the strings a bit harder than you would with a high-end guitar. New student? Spend the extra money on a pricier model that is easier to practice with. The "action" between the strings and the fretboard should require minimal pressure, and the Lyon falls short in that respect.

On a side note, a student would do fine with a Lyon electric guitar, as the action is a lot smoother, with far less finger pressure involved!

The Lyon acoustic kit comes with extra light gauge strings(a nice set that should easily last a year or more with moderate play). The neckstrap is functional(what can you say?.."Its a neckstrap".) The guitar neck adjustment wrench should be put away and hopefully never looked at again. It's rare for a guitar neck to require adjustment.

The Lyon acoustic guitar set by Washburn is a good value for the casual player. From what I've experienced, it will last a long time and provide years of enjoyment.

The sealed tensioning nuts keep dust out of the gears, which is a nice touch on a bargain priced guitar.

Like I said before, it's good for casual play and makes you appreciate the feel of a higher quality instrument. When I play the Lyon, I can can easily spend an hour or so going through some songs..but the fingers get a bit tired due to the string action after that.